Smart API Works ("we", "us", or "our") operates the website smartapiworks.digital and provides API reliability auditing services. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, store, and protect personal information provided to us through this website and in the course of our services. We are committed to handling personal information responsibly and in accordance with the Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI) of Japan (Act No. 57 of 2003, as amended), as well as other applicable data protection regulations.
This policy applies to all visitors to our website and to individuals who contact us or engage with our services. By using this website, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this policy.
1. Identity of the Data Controller
The data controller responsible for personal information collected through this website is Smart API Works, located at 2008-1 Shichiku Oroshishinmachi, Higashi Ward, Niigata, 950-0868, Japan. You may contact us regarding data protection matters at info@smartapiworks.digital or by telephone at +81 25 274 2510.
2. Personal Information We Collect
We collect personal information only when you voluntarily provide it to us. The primary means of collection is through the contact inquiry form on this website, which requests your name, email address, telephone number, and any message content you choose to include. We do not collect sensitive personal information as defined under the APPI (such as race, creed, social status, medical history, criminal record, or financial information) through this website.
In addition to information you directly provide, our website may collect certain technical information automatically when you visit. This includes your IP address, browser type and version, operating system, referring URL, pages visited, and the date and time of your visit. This information is collected through cookies and server logs and is used for website operation and improvement purposes. Please see our Cookie Policy for further details about how cookies are used.
3. Purposes of Use
Under the APPI, we are required to specify the purposes for which we use personal information. The personal information you provide through the contact form is used for the following purposes: to respond to your inquiry; to discuss and arrange API audit engagements; to communicate with you about our services during and after an engagement; and to fulfill any contractual obligations arising from an agreed engagement. Technical information collected automatically is used to operate and maintain this website, to understand how visitors use the site, and to identify and resolve technical issues.
We will not use your personal information for any purpose beyond those stated above without first obtaining your consent, except where required by law.
4. Legal Basis and Retention
We process personal information on the basis of your consent (given when you submit the contact form and agree to this policy) and, where applicable, on the basis of legitimate interests in operating our business and responding to inquiries. Personal information provided through the contact form is retained for as long as necessary to fulfill the purpose for which it was collected, and for a reasonable period thereafter to manage any follow-up communications or contractual matters. Technical log data is retained for a period of no more than twelve months unless a longer retention period is required for security or legal compliance purposes.
5. Sharing and Disclosure of Personal Information
We do not sell, rent, or trade personal information to third parties. We may share personal information with third-party service providers who assist us in operating this website and conducting our services, such as hosting providers and email service providers. These providers are bound by confidentiality obligations and are not permitted to use personal information for their own purposes. We may also disclose personal information where required to do so by law, regulation, court order, or at the request of a competent authority.
If we engage a third party to process personal information on our behalf, we take appropriate steps to ensure that such processing is conducted in accordance with the APPI and this policy. We do not transfer personal information to recipients outside Japan without ensuring that appropriate safeguards are in place as required by the APPI.
6. Security Measures
We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect personal information against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include access controls, secure data storage practices, and regular review of our security procedures. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
7. Your Rights Under the APPI
Under the Act on the Protection of Personal Information, you have the right to request disclosure of personal information we hold about you; to request correction of inaccurate information; to request cessation of use or deletion of your information in certain circumstances; and to request that we stop providing your information to third parties. To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@smartapiworks.digital. We will respond to verified requests within a reasonable timeframe as required by the APPI.
If you are located in the European Economic Area, you may have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including the right to data portability and the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority. We will honor such rights to the extent applicable.
8. Cookies
This website uses cookies. A detailed description of the cookies we use, their purpose, and how to manage your cookie preferences is provided in our Cookie Policy, which is available at cookies.html.
9. Links to Other Websites
Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable law. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this document. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Continued use of our website after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.
11. Contact
If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal information, please contact us at info@smartapiworks.digital or write to us at 2008-1 Shichiku Oroshishinmachi, Higashi Ward, Niigata, 950-0868, Japan.